AU Unveils Bold 2025 Theme: Demand for Justice and Reparations for Africans and Diaspora

The African Union this week announced its theme for 2025: “Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations.” This theme aims to address reparations owed to Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora, acknowledging the profound harm caused by the transatlantic slave trade, slavery, colonialism, and neo-colonialism.

The theme is an outcome of the Accra Reparations Conference (ARC2023) which was held in Accra, Ghana, in November 2023. The outcome document, Accra Proclamation on Reparations, listed the recommendations meant for consideration and necessary action by the African Union Commission, with the view to sustain the thrust gained over the years of collective quest for reparations against the backdrop of the lingering detrimental effects of the egregious acts of the trans-Atlantic slave
trade and colonialism. The recommendations included the following:

• The hosting of an international conference involving former colonial powers and the African Union Commission on the issue of reparations;

• Establishment of the Office of the AU Special Envoy on Reparations, inaccordance with the due processes of the AU Commission and inconsultation with the Executive Council, to coordinate all activities onreparations and rally activists across the continent and the diaspora; and

• The establishment of a Global Reparations Fund to advance thecampaign for reparations in Africa, in close cooperation with the AfricanUnion Commission;

• The designation of the AU Theme of the Year 2025 to Reparations,entitled “Justice for Africa Through Reparations,”.

The announcement of this theme is particularly significant as it coincides with the conclusion of the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent, which spanned from 2015 to 2024. Among its initiatives, the African Union and the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding this July to enhance cooperation in areas such as Democratic Governance, Human Rights, Rule of Law, Transitional Justice, Reparatory Justice, and Racial Healing. The AU’s new theme for 2025 builds on these objectives, reinforcing the commitment to achieving justice and equity for African communities on the continent and in the diaspora.

The theme for 2025 will focus on several key areas, including implementing the African Union Transitional Justice Policy to support transitional justice processes across the continent. Another critical focus is developing a cohesive African Common Position on Reparations and Racial Healing, promoting unity and consensus on these issues. The AU Commission and its partners will also emphasize consensus and bridge-building by connecting advocacy groups in Africa and the Global African Diaspora for a common reparations agenda. Education will play a vital role, with the AU Commission utilizing convenings, publications, training, and creative storytelling to preserve Africa’s narrative and document the history and legacies of mass atrocities and colonial crimes. Additionally, through dialogues and narrative building, the partnership will promote racial healing between Africa and its descendants in the Global Diaspora, fostering a sense of unity and mutual understanding.